Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Anton van Leeuwenhoek (October 24, 1632 - August 30, 1723, full name Thonius Philips van Leeuwenhoek) was a tradesman and scientist from Delft, in the Netherlands. He was known as "the Father of Microbiology". Born the son of a basket weaver, he is best known for his contribution to improvement of the microscope and his contributions towards the establishment of cell biology. Using his handcrafted microscope he was the first to observe and describe muscle fibers, bacteria, spermatozoa and blood flow in capillaries (small blood vessels).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Van Leeuwenhoek ground over 500 optical lenses during his lifetime. He also created over 400 different types of microscopes, only nine of which still exist today. His microscopes were made of silver or copper metal frames holding home-wrought lenses. Those that survived the years are able to magnify up to 270 times. It is suspected, though, that Antoni possessed some microscopes that could magnify up to 500 times.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1654, he moved back to Delft and started a drapery business, since he had been educated as a textile salesman. He used a magnifying lens to study the quality of the cloth he sold, which magnified at about 3x power. These little devices are up to today still called "thread counters" in Dutch, when literally translated. The microscopes were very minute, and were held by the thumb and index finger. He was introduced to microscopy by Huygens to observe the quality of the fabrics that he sold. His microscope was used and improved by Christiaan Huygens for his own investigations into microscopy. From there, he grew an insatiable interest for the field. He spent his nights studying everything he could and carefully noted his observations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After this important invention and his thorough use of it, he was introduced to the Royal Society by the famous Dutch Physician Regnier de Graaf. This resulted in his appointment in 1680. Ever since his invitation, he wrote approximately 560 letters to the society and other scientific institutions over a period of 50 years. These letters dealt with the subjects he had investigated. In 1674 he discovered infusoria (dated zo?logical category,) in 1676 he discovered bacteria, in 1677 he discovered spermatozoi and in 1682 he discovered the banded pattern of muscular fibers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1660, Van Leeuwenhoek was appointed chamberlain of the Lord Regents of Delft. Nine years later he obtained a degree in geography, leading to his appointment as geographer in 1679.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He died at the age of 91, on August 30, 1723.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

October 24: October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining....

1632: :See also: 1632 (novel)...

August 30: August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining....

Anton van Leeuwenhoek related Images and Photos (experimental)

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek Dutch Naturalist Depicted Discovering the Microbe	Portrait of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek	Van Gogh (DVD)	Van Heflin
Van Helsing	Van Johnson	Van Helsing	Anton Chekhov Collection, The
Franz Anton Mesmer	Joan Van Ark	Van Helsing DVD (Widescreen)	Van Helsing DVD (Widescreen)